The Riders:

Lorraine Litster - Triumph Sprint 900 - 1998

Chris & Wanda Bridgland - Yamaha Virago 1100 - 1998

Steve Keough - BMW R1150R - 2001

Lisa Mill - Kawasaki VN800 - 2005

Craig Mill - Buell XB12SS Lightning Long - 2006

PHOTOS

As you can see this was very much the 'usual crew' for a VVCMCC overnight event, at that is just fine as we all know each other very well.

This was a new run with a new route & a new destination. As you will all know Tumut is not far away as the crow flies or by 'air miles' as we saw at a lookout in Tumut, indeed I think it is only 60 nautical miles by air. However if you wish to go by sealed road it is very much further, and if you want to go & return by different routes AND not ride on the Hume Highway, then it becomes even longer. So this is what we did.

As usual Lo-RAIN (me) had rustled up some of the wet stuff for us, well nearly as it poured down the whole of the previous night, which kept me awake in anticipation, however at 0500 the rain suddenly stopped & this heralded a dry ride but still wet roads to start.

We all met at the Hall lay-by & were in Yass in short order. I was riding my recently purchased 1998 Triumph Sprint, which proved to be a worthy machine in every respect & I am growing in my affection towards it. However 'bonding' to a motorcycle for me is a long business, it may take me over a year & any bond cannot possibly match the 36 year bond I have with my beloved Velo.

So off we rode to Harden & had coffee & fuel at Murrumburrah; as we often do. Then riding west to the junction with the Olympic Highway & a turn to the south. It was still very chilly so our waterproof overalls remained firmly in place. Cootamundra arrived & we stopped briefly to look around, as I had not taken a ride to this town before. It was 1200 as we parked & true to county towns the shutters came down. I told the others that I had stayed there once, on a trip back from the Great Ocean Road on my BSA Rocket3 many years ago. However nothing looked familiar.

We had decided earlier to even further extend the ride to Junee as Steve declared it a place worth seeing. When we arrived in this once busy railway town my long held delusion became evident. It had been this town I had stayed at not the last one! In the high street was a large gang of very serious looking bikers, perhaps 40 of them, with very well used kit & machines, each one sporting a swag on his pillion seat. They were a club from Dubbo on their annual 5-day mystery ride. Each day at breakfast & lunch they were given new directions, & that night was top take them to a paddock in Victoria. We wished them the best of luck. One fellow was riding a similarly well used Norton Dominator, good on him.

We had a very civilised lunch at a 'once-upon a time' pub, now a B&B & restaurant; then we took a visit to the great railway roundhouse, once the workplace of 500 men. This had been built as a result of the war boom years for the railway, but the onset of the cheap car in the 50s & 60s decimated the railways & now it lies a museum shell, with one old lady & gentleman manning it. It was a bit sad really.

After our loco visit we rode on again on a back road to Gundagai. All this had been typical western-slopes riding until we approached the tuckerbox town & the Snowy Mountains loomed ahead. We stopped for coffee at the famous cafe there before taking the road to Tumut. We arrived in this pretty town & found our accommodation readily. Chris had lost a few nuts and bolts along the way & his luggage rack & rear right shocky were looking very perilous. He was soon soother however when we pointed out a Repco on the opposite corner which would be open in the morning. That night we ate a hearty meal at one of the great Tumut pubs before taking to bed.

Sunday dawned sunny & promising a lovely days ride, which indeed eventuated. After an alfresco breakfast just up the street it was nuts & bolts time & with the assistance of my tool kit Chris' bike was soon fixed to his satisfaction. & we were off. Our first stop was to the town lookout, where we discovered 'air miles'. We all declared Tumut to be a grand spot & well worthy of another visit.

Our first stop was Adelong, a once mining town, but now a very pretty village. We surveyed the old mine workings, which now have taken on a look of picturesque ancient ruins with a river running through. Then it was time to climb the Snoweys & we were soon climbing steadily through the most lovely country, green lush & alpine. Fruit orchards appeared as we approached Batlow. This lovely location deserves more than it has, just a very small & unremarkable town in a gorgeous setting. Perhaps it is awaiting 'discovery', or perhaps prosperous Tumut has stolen its thunder.

Onward & upward we rode onto a plateau of sorts to the town of Tumbarumba. I remembered this town as & sleepy & closed sort of place all those years ago on the Rocket 3, but not now! Perhaps it was because this was the weekend of the Snowey Ride & there were lots of bikes around, but this town was humming. Despite it being Sunday afternoon there were several cafes doing a good trade & other businesses too. There we stopped for lunch sitting outside in the warm air. I sensed that everyone was having a wonderful time & were not in any hurry to start our homeward journey, which would be our lot once we left Tumbarumba. When we did leave town Steve filmed the whole ride to Cabramurra, including the demanding Elliot's Way, via a camera strapped to his jacket. It looked really good & I look forward to watching it
.

The windy & steep Elliot's way is a challenge as I said & would be great on a light machine, however I have to say that the Sprint loaded with luggage did not seem to be the best mount for the task. I think a Commando running light would be the go!

At Cabramurra where we had afternoon tea, we had lost the Mills: who evidently had missed the turn. We found them again at Adaminaby however safe & sound. Our last fuel was taken on & home seemed in sight, but no it is still 160 Km from Adaminaby to Canberra, although again a much shorter dirt road is available if one wants it (we didn't).

We made one last stop at the pub in Bredbo where we said our goodbyes over a drink. And there it was, the end of a really lovely overnight run. I think we covered 670 Km in total & it was all good riding with a lovely mixture & western slopes & mountain riding. I may run this event again, as it was so enjoyable.

Lorraine Litster

27 November 2008

PHOTOS